Robert D Wissman1, Derek Stensby2, Juhi Koolwal2, Philip Silva2, Mojgan Golzy3. 1. Department of Radiology One Hospital Drive, University of Missouri Health Care, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA. rwissman@health.missouri.edu. 2. Department of Radiology One Hospital Drive, University of Missouri Health Care, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA. 3. Department of Health Management and Informatics One Hospital Drive, University of Missouri Health Care, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the normal depth of the medial femoral sulcus on lateral radiographs of the knee and determine if abnormal deepening of the medial femoral sulcus exists as a radiographic indicator of intra-articular knee abnormalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective search was performed over a period of 10 years to identify all individuals with a bone contusion of the anterior medial femoral condyle at MR imaging. Study patients had documented acute knee injuries and radiographs 6 weeks or less prior to their MR. A control group had normal MR exams and radiographs 6 weeks or less prior to their MR. Two fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologists independently measured the depth of the medial femoral sulcus on lateral radiographs blinded to control or study individuals. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 76 patients (57 men, 19 women; age range, 18-50 years; mean age, 27 years) and 92 control patients (33 men, 59 women; age range, 18-46 years; mean age 26 years). Sulcus depth was (0-2.3 mm reader 1 and 0-1.7 mm reader 2 for controls; 0-2.2 mm reader1 and 0-1.8 mm reader 2 for study patients). No significant difference in sulcus depth was identified between the control and study groups. Inter-reader agreement was very strong. The most common cause of injury in the study group was motor vehicle accidents followed by hyperextension and twisting injuries of the knee. CONCLUSION: The normal medial femoral sulcus ranges in depth from 0 to 2.3 mm. Although impaction of the sulcus does occur following knee injuries, the sulcus does not deepen.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the normal depth of the medial femoral sulcus on lateral radiographs of the knee and determine if abnormal deepening of the medial femoral sulcus exists as a radiographic indicator of intra-articular knee abnormalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective search was performed over a period of 10 years to identify all individuals with a bone contusion of the anterior medial femoral condyle at MR imaging. Study patients had documented acute knee injuries and radiographs 6 weeks or less prior to their MR. A control group had normal MR exams and radiographs 6 weeks or less prior to their MR. Two fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologists independently measured the depth of the medial femoral sulcus on lateral radiographs blinded to control or study individuals. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 76 patients (57 men, 19 women; age range, 18-50 years; mean age, 27 years) and 92 control patients (33 men, 59 women; age range, 18-46 years; mean age 26 years). Sulcus depth was (0-2.3 mm reader 1 and 0-1.7 mm reader 2 for controls; 0-2.2 mm reader1 and 0-1.8 mm reader 2 for study patients). No significant difference in sulcus depth was identified between the control and study groups. Inter-reader agreement was very strong. The most common cause of injury in the study group was motor vehicle accidents followed by hyperextension and twisting injuries of the knee. CONCLUSION: The normal medial femoral sulcus ranges in depth from 0 to 2.3 mm. Although impaction of the sulcus does occur following knee injuries, the sulcus does not deepen.
Authors: Manuel Calvo-Gurry; Eoghan T Hurley; Daniel Withers; Mihai Vioreanu; Ray Moran Journal: Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc Date: 2019-03-26 Impact factor: 4.342